CVE-2018-14837 in Wolf CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Wolf CMS 0.8.3.1 has XSS in the Snippets tab, as demonstrated by a ?/admin/snippet/edit/1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14837 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Wolf CMS version 0.8.3.1 within the administrative snippets functionality. This vulnerability specifically manifests when users navigate to the ?/admin/snippet/edit/1 URI, exposing the system to potential malicious code injection attacks. The issue resides in how the application processes and renders user input within the snippets management interface, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters within the snippet editing endpoint. When administrators or authorized users access the snippet editing page, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable data, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted script payloads. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS vulnerability where the malicious code persists in the application's database and executes whenever the affected page is loaded. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the application's input validation and output encoding mechanisms, particularly within the administrative interface where privileged users operate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute scripts in the context of any user who views the affected snippet, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface where users have elevated privileges, making the potential damage significantly greater than typical frontend XSS vulnerabilities. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through browser-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14837 require immediate implementation of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices throughout the application's codebase. The primary fix involves implementing robust HTML escaping and sanitization routines for all user-controllable data before rendering it in the browser context. Organizations should ensure that the Wolf CMS application is updated to a patched version that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released security updates to resolve the XSS flaw. Additionally, implementing proper Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks, while regular security auditing of web applications should include thorough testing of administrative interfaces for similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices can help limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, though the most effective defense remains proper code-level remediation. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing protocols to prevent such persistent threats in content management systems.